Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 | 4:05 p.m.
The first and most obvious question regarding Joey Logano’s move to Sprint Cup is whether or not he’s ready to perform with the big boys. Can an 18-year-old kid, whose face looks like it’s years away from needing a razor, handle the pressures and demands of a sport that oftentimes rattles the older and more experienced drivers? I don’t know. Time will answer that question.
So is Joe Gibbs Racing making the right choice? Yes.
Put yourself in the shoes of Joe Gibbs Racing. The organization is losing one of the best drivers to ever come to the series, but the expectations for the No.20 car will remain high, especially in the eyes of the high-profile sponsor, Home Depot.
So what should an owner do in a situation like this? Maybe find an unemployed, second-rate driver to fill the seat for a year while Logano gains more experience? I don’t think Home Depot wants to spend millions of dollars to be in the back of the field with little prospects of running up front.
Or maybe Joe Gibbs Racing should have found a higher-caliber driver to pilot the Home Depot car until Logano is ready to take over. But would a high-caliber driver want a short-term deal, knowing he’s only the warm-up act for Logano?
Joe Gibbs Racing made the right decision to move Logano into Stewart’s ride. Sure it’s a risk. It’s possible that Logano could end up like Casey Atwood. But given Logano’s talent and the lack of other viable options, this was the best decision.
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